Arsenal FC is facing fresh controversy just days before their crucial UEFA Champions League semi final clash against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Reports suggest the North London club may have breached UEFA ticketing regulations ahead of the highly anticipated fixture at the Emirates Stadium on 29th April.
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After a thrilling quarter-final victory over Real Madrid—thanks in large part to standout performances from Declan Rice—Mikel Arteta’s side is now in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009. The passionate home support at the Emirates played a huge role in Arsenal’s progression, and the club is seemingly keen to maximise their home advantage against the French champions.
However, that move has led to claims of non-compliance with UEFA rules.
UEFA Ticketing Controversy: UEFA Champions League semi final
According to France Bleu, PSG fans are growing increasingly frustrated as Arsenal has not yet released tickets for the away section at the Emirates—less than a week before the semi-final match. UEFA regulations require clubs to allocate 5% of stadium capacity to visiting supporters. For Arsenal, that equates to approximately 3,000 seats.
Despite this rule, sources suggest the Gunners plan to offer only 2,500 seats to PSG fans, a reduction of 500 seats. This has sparked outrage among the travelling supporters, especially since PSG was granted the full 3,000-ticket allocation during the group stage meeting last October—a match Arsenal won 2-0 with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
PSG is reportedly fighting back to enforce UEFA’s ticketing rules. One report quoted:
“PSG is fighting to enforce the rule and have 3,000 Parisians at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, and for the moment, they are not succeeding.”
With demand surging ahead of the semi-final, many PSG fans remain in limbo, anxiously waiting for clarity. With time running out, a reduced allocation seems increasingly likely—leaving thousands of supporters disappointed.
Arsenal’s History with Ticket Allocation Disputes
This isn’t the first time Arsenal has faced backlash over away ticket allocations at the Emirates Stadium. In January, during their FA Cup tie against Manchester United, the club offered only 8,000 away tickets, falling short of the 9,000 allocation mandated by FA Cup rules.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the reduced allocation was due to “safety concerns,” a decision made by the Safety Advisory Group, which includes representatives from Arsenal, local authorities, and emergency services. Despite Manchester United’s efforts to secure the full ticket quota, their appeal was unsuccessful.
The current Arsenal vs PSG ticket dispute now mirrors that earlier controversy, and given the outcome of the Manchester United case, hopes aren’t high for a favourable resolution for PSG fans.
Will UEFA Intervene Before Arsenal vs PSG Clash?
As the countdown to the Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and PSG continues, the spotlight remains firmly on Arsenal’s handling of the away ticket allocation. With UEFA rules being potentially overlooked, PSG fans are left wondering whether the governing body will step in—or if history is set to repeat itself at the Emirates Stadium.
Stay tuned for updates on the Arsenal vs PSG UEFA semi-final—one of the most talked-about fixtures in European football this season.
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